Compiled by Nick Sestanovich

75 years ago

40 Gas Masks Allotted To Benicia (July 2, 1942)

Benicia and Vallejo were designated as priority cities by the war department in the allocation of gas masks to police officers, deputies and defense workers.
Four hundred masks were received in Fairfield Tuesday, Benicia is to receive 40 and Vallejo 260 and 100 will be distributed through other cities in the county; 12 each to Vacaville, Dixon, Elmira, Suisun, Rio Vista, Fairfield and Cordelia. The remaining 16 have been kept at the office of Sheriff Jack Thornton for use by sheriffs deputies and defense workers.
More masks will be received at a later date according to an announcement by the County Defense Council.

50 years ago
Preliminary BUSD Budget is Approved (June 29, 1967)

Seventh Million-Dollar Bond Issue Is Set Again

A 1967-1968 budget in excess of $1 million was approved in preliminary form Monday night at a special meeting of the Benicia Unified School District board of trustees. Expenditures are totaled at $1,062,010 with an expected income of $1,062,600. The tax rate is set at $3.55. Dr. Robert L. McKee, district superintendent of schools, said the budget was based on an expected enrollment similar to 1966-67. State and federal aid figures were tallied with this year’s enrollment.
Earl Manor made the motion to accept the preliminary budget as satisfactory pending receipt of more concrete figures. Ron Rice seconded it and a unanimous ballot was cast by the remaining trustees. Board president Don Passalacqua votes only in the case of a tie. The 1966-67 budget was published last year at $97,045.
The preliminary budget receives an item-by-item check at the county office prior to its publication July 15. New information in the hands of the county office, perhaps in relation to assessed valuation, could require some changes. A public hearing on the budget will be held Aug. 1, before final approval.

25 years ago

Sky Valley, I.T. projects on different tracks (June 28, 1992)

By Sarah Rohrs

At the rate of the current planning process, the city could be ready to break ground on Sky Valley long before all the questions on the I.T. toxic waste facility have been satisfied.
The International Technology Corp. Panoche facility, on the far eastern portion of Sky Valley, closed in 1988 after public outcry over illegal dumping practices. The state Department of Toxics Substance Control is now reviewing the Environmental Impact Report for the dump’s closure plan.
As Sky Valley planning proceeds, two looming questions remain unanswered:
* How close can houses be built to the former dump?
* What risks— if any— does the dump’s closure pose to future Benicia residents?
Both Planning department director John Bunch and Sky Valley project manager Walt Graham said it’s conceivable the Sky Valley land could be annexed into the city limits in preparation for a housing development before all the information is available to answer those questions completely._
Mayor Ernie Ciarrocchi, however, insists the City Council has made its position loud and clear: No development can occur until the city is absolutely satified no health risks exist.

The full articles of these and other stories are available on microfilm at the Benicia Public Library.

Sharing is caring!